Core/Shell Encapsulate Leakage and Discoloration in Liquid Detergent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid laundry detergent compositions tend to discolour and experience leakage from core/shell encapsulates, particularly those containing aldehydic and ketone perfume materials, which affects both aesthetic and performance aspects, including long-lasting scent benefits on fabrics.

Innovation Solution

A liquid laundry detergent composition comprising core/shell encapsulates with a polyacrylate shell, aldehydic or ketone perfume raw materials, alkanolamine, sulphite, and C11-13 linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, along with a water-soluble unit dose article using a polyvinylalcohol film to minimize discolouration and leakage, and ensure long-lasting scent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If aldehydic and ketone perfume raw materials are used in liquid detergent composition, then immediate scent benefit is provided, but discolouration and encapsulate leakage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescent benefit durationVSAvoiddiscolouration and leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Antioxidants (ascorbic acid, tocopherol, gallic acid) are introduced as intermediary substances to mediate between the aldehydic/ketone perfume materials and the detergent composition. These antioxidants prevent oxidative reactions that cause discolouration and encapsulate degradation, thereby protecting the perfume materials from harmful interactions while maintaining their scent-releasing properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pH of the detergent composition is adjusted to be between 6.0-8.0 using alkali metal hydroxides or ammonium hydroxide. This pH parameter change creates a more stable environment for the encapsulates and perfume materials, reducing leakage and discolouration while maintaining effective scent delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If higher percentage of perfume raw materials with logP>3.0 are used in encapsulated perfumes, then leakage is minimized, but immediate scent benefit is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencapsulate leakage resistanceVSAvoidimmediate scent benefit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The perfume system is segmented into two distinct components: encapsulated perfumes (providing long-term sustained release) and free perfumes (providing immediate scent impact). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the encapsulated portion uses high logP materials for stability while the free portion uses aldehydic/ketone materials for immediate effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges encapsulated perfume materials with free perfume materials in a single detergent composition. The encapsulated perfumes (with logP>3.0) provide reliable leakage resistance and long-term release, while the free perfumes (aldehydic/ketone materials) provide immediate scent benefit, achieving both reliability and immediate effect simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If polyacrylate shell encapsulates are used, then leakage is reduced, but discolouration still occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencapsulate leakage resistanceVSAvoiddiscolouration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Antioxidants (ascorbic acid, tocopherol, gallic acid) serve as intermediary protective agents between the polyacrylate encapsulates and oxidative harmful factors in the detergent composition. These antioxidants specifically prevent oxidative discolouration of the encapsulates while maintaining their structural integrity and leakage resistance properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pH of the detergent composition is adjusted to be between 6.0-8.0 using alkali metal hydroxides or ammonium hydroxide. This pH optimization protects the polyacrylate encapsulates from acid-catalyzed degradation and discolouration while maintaining their leakage resistance, complementing the antioxidant protection system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition reduces discolouration and leakage of encapsulates while providing a long-lasting scent benefit on fabrics, enhancing both the aesthetic and performance qualities of the detergent.

Implementation Method 1

reduces discolouration and leakage from said encapsulates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntioxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

the shell comprises polyacrylate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3375854B1Liquid laundry detergent composition comprising a core/shell encapsulate

Publication Date: 2022.03.30 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The present invention relates to liquid laundry detergent compositions comprising core/shell encapsulates, water-soluble unit dose articles comprising said encapsulates and methods of using said compositions and unit dose articles.